Snapshot of Key Races for Congress

October 22, 2004

PHILADELPHIA (Oct. 19)

While most eyes are on the presidential race this year, Jewish political activists are monitoring some key congressional races.

Senate: Alaska: Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R) vs. former Gov. Tony Knowles (D) — Many in Alaska are upset that Murkowski’s father appointed her to the job two years ago, but she has had a good record on Israel, supporters say.

Florida: Betty Castor (D), former state commissioner of education, vs. Mel Martinez (R), former secretary of housing and urban development. A primary opponent accused Castor of being soft on terrorists at a university she once helmed, but many Jewish Democrats still are backing her.

North Carolina: Rep. Richard Burr (R) vs. Erskine Bowles (D), former White House chief of staff — Burr is seen as a good chance for a Republican pick-up, and Jewish Republicans are backing his effort. Burr says Bowles was weak on terrorists when he was in the Clinton administration.

Pennsylvania: Sen. Arlen Specter (R) vs. Rep. Joe Hoeffel (D) — Specter is a well-respected member of the state’s Jewish community, and is expected to easily defeat the congressman.

South Carolina: Rep. Jim DeMint (R) vs. Inez Tenenbaum (D), state superintendent of education — Tenenbaum’s husband is a pro-Israel activist on the board of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. But she has stressed in her campaign advertisements that her parents were church elders.

South Dakota: Sen. Tom Daschle (D) vs. former Rep. John Thune (R) — Republicans are looking to knock off Daschle, the Senate minority leader, and are hoping Thune, who barely lost to Sen. Tim Johnson (R-S.D.) two years ago, is their ticket.

Wisconsin: Sen. Russell Feingold (D) vs. Tim Michels, businessman and veteran — Feingold, who is Jewish, is considered likely to win, but his liberal views are not a perfect fit for a state now leaning Republican.

House:

Florida, 13th district: Rep. Katherine Harris (R) vs. attorney Jan Schneider (D) — The two squared off in 2002, and Schneider is hoping for a different result this time.

New Hampshire 2nd district: Rep. Charles Bass (R) vs. businessman Paul Hodes (D) — Democrats hope Hodes can squeak out a win in this district with an independent streak.

Texas 32nd district: Rep. Martin Frost (D) vs. Rep. Pete Sessions (R): Redistricting forced Frost into a Republican district and placed him against an incumbent. Despite strong support from Jews across the country, the second-longest serving Jew in the House may be ousted.

Virginia 2nd district: David Ashe (D), an Iraq war veteran, vs. Delegate Thelma Drake (R) — The race has gotten tighter since Rep. Ed Schrock (R) backed out, and the seat is considered a possible House pick-up for the Democrats.